Flexible containers with a pouring spout

ABSTRACT

Containers are provided which include a flexible packaging suitable for containing a product in the form of granules, powder or flakes. Such containers include those having a first cut made in an outer wall of the packaging, the cut forming a first through-opening for pouring. A pouring spout may be inserted in the first opening. The spout may be pivotable about a horizontal hinge line (x), between a retracted closed position and an extended open position. A reinforcing element may be attached to a portion of the packaging around the first opening and the spout. The reinforcing element may be more rigid than the flexible packaging and may have a second through-cut that forms a second opening in the reinforcing element, juxtaposed on the first opening in the packaging and communicating with the latter opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container, made of flexible material, for products in the form of granules, powder or flakes.

PRIOR ART

Products in the form of granules, powder or flakes (e.g. detergents, coffee or other food products) are widely sold in packaging made of a flexible material. The containers generally used are made of paper, cardboard, plastic or multi-layer materials of various types and compositions.

The main characteristic of this type of packaging, unlike rigid or semi-rigid packaging, consists in the ability to adapt to the volume, and possibly the shape, of the contents, which change as said contents are consumed. However, packaging of the aforementioned type has a number of disadvantages, relating to the need for the packaging to include an opening suitable for pouring the contents.

One solution commonly used consists in cutting or removing part of the packaging, in general a top corner, shown by way of example in FIG. 1 with the reference number 12. The problems with such a solution include the difficulty in controlling the amount dispensed during pouring and/or preventing, when closing the packaging, the contents from spilling with the result, in the latter case, that the packaged product is exposed to moisture, external pests, inappropriate use by children, etc.

Prior art solutions aimed at overcoming the abovementioned problems include attaching hinges or tape or “tin tie” closure means to the packaging (for example, near the top joint 10 of the flaps of the packaging), but they have the disadvantage that it is not easy to dispense a controlled amount of the contents without resorting to the use of spoons and scoops, which becomes more awkward the more the contents are used up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is to provide a container which facilitates both dispensing a controlled amount of the contents and resealing after use.

This and other objects and advantages are achieved, according to one aspect of the invention, by a container having the features defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In summary, a container comprises flexible packaging suitable for containing a product in the form of granules, powder or flakes. A first cut is made in an outer wall of the packaging, said cut forming a first through-opening for pouring. A pouring spout is inserted in the first opening. The spout is pivotable about a horizontal hinge line, between a retracted closed position and an extended open position. A reinforcing element is attached to a portion of the packaging around the first opening and the spout. The reinforcing element is more rigid than the flexible packaging and has a second through-cut that forms a second opening in the reinforcing element, juxtaposed on the first opening in the packaging and communicating with the latter opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred, non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible container with a tab cut into the packaging;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, with the addition of a pouring spout in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 2, with the pouring spout in the fully open position;

FIG. 4 is a partial view in vertical section of the container of FIG. 3, with the pouring spout in the fully open position;

FIG. 5 is a partial view in vertical section of the container of FIG. 3, according to a further embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a partial view of a container according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a container is generally indicated by the reference sign A and comprises a packaging 9 made of flexible material, able to adapt to the shape of the contents. The container A may vary in size and generally has the shape of a pouch or bag. The container A may be used to dispense various kinds of products in the form of granules or powder or flakes, such as coffee, salt, sugar, detergents, etc.

For the flexible material of the packaging 9, a sheet of polymer material, biodegradable or non-biodegradable, for example polyethylene or paper, may be used. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the packaging 9 has a vertical side wall 18. The shape of the container A can change over time (for example, if the container is crumpled or folded). The shape of the packaging 9 shown in the drawings is to be considered purely an example. The packaging 9 may have, at the top, flaps 20 joined together along the edge 10 and/or the flanks 12, so as to seal the packaging and preserve the contents.

A cut 22 is made in the wall 18, passing through the packaging 9. The cut 22 may have various shapes and may be, for example, substantially H-shaped, as in the embodiment shown here, or in the shape of an inverted U, triangle, trapezoid, etc.

The cut 22 defines a tab 23 that is pivotable outwards about a hinge line x. The outline 22 a of the tab 23 may match the profile of the through-cut 22 (as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1), with the exception of two vertical slits 22 b of the through-cut 22. The reference sign 22 c indicates two opposite vertical sides of the cut 22, which are in this example substantially parallel.

Rotating the tab 23 outwards about the hinge line x opens a pouring opening 21 which, being in communication with the interior of the packaging 9, allows the contents to be poured out.

A pouring spout 24 is rigidly secured to the tab 23 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). The purpose of the pouring spout 24 is to allow a controlled amount of the contents to be dispensed, and to reclose the pack properly, so as to preserve the integrity and/or prevent undesired spilling of the contents.

The design of the pouring spout can vary from the example described below. The general configuration and the operation as regards opening and closing of a pouring spout are considered to be generally known. In the present example, the spout 24 comprises a central portion 24 a, which is attached to the tab 23, preferably by means of an adhesive, and two side flanks 24 b retracted into the packaging 9. Two identical upper protuberances 24 c are formed at the side edges of the flanks 24 b, with the function of stop means; the protuberances 24 c are designed to abut against an inner surface 18 b of the wall 18 of the container, to determine the position of maximum opening of the spout (FIG. 4).

The pouring spout 24 may be moved between a retracted closed position (FIG. 2) and an extended open position (FIG. 3) so as to dispense a controlled amount of a product in the form of granules, powder or flakes, contained inside the pack A.

A reinforcing element 26 is attached around the opening 21, said element taking the form of a plate or label, for example the form of a hollow plate shaped like a frame (closed or open) or ring (closed or open). These shapes, as well as the shape of the outer contour of the reinforcing element 26, are not to be considered as limiting.

In the example shown, the reinforcing element 26 is attached, for example by means of an adhesive, to the outer surface 18 a of the wall 18. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the reinforcing element may be attached to the inner surface 18 b of the wall 18.

The reinforcing element 26 has an opening 26 c, at least partially juxtaposed on and communicating with the opening 21 in order to allow the contents of the container A to be poured out when the spout 24 is open.

In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening 26 c also serves as a seat for the spout 24. The reference sign 26 e indicates two opposite vertical sides of the opening 26 c, which are in this example substantially parallel. The side flanks 24 b of the spout 24 are in contact with the opposite vertical sides 26 e of the opening 26 c. In this configuration, during the movements of closing and opening of the spout 24, the side flanks 24 b of the spout slide against, and are guided by, the opposite vertical sides 26 e of the opening 26 c.

If, as in the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening 26 c of the reinforcing element 26 and the cut 22 of the packaging 9 are substantially juxtaposed and overlapping, the side flanks 24 b of the spout 24 may be in contact with both the opposite vertical sides 26 e of the opening 26 c and with the opposite vertical sides 22 c of the cut 22. In this configuration, during the movements of closing and opening of the spout 24, the side flanks 24 b of the spout slide against and are guided by the opposite vertical sides 26 e of the opening 26 c and the opposite vertical sides 22 c of the cut 22.

The reinforcing element 26 may have upper slits 25, aligned with the upper slits 22 b of the cut 22 and capable of guiding the upper edges of the side flanks 24 b of the spout (along all or part of their extension) during the movements of opening and closing of the spout. Each upper slit 25 engages slidingly with the two opposite faces of the upper edge of a respective side flank 24 b of the spout, improving the stability of the spout.

The reinforcing element 26 is more rigid than the flexible packaging 9. For example, the reinforcing element 26 may be made of plastic, cardboard, card, paper, metal or another suitable material.

The reinforcing element 26 may have one or more of the following effects:

-   -   it locally thickens the container in the most stressed portion         thereof, i.e. the portion located around the pouring spout, thus         increasing the stiffness and strength of the packaging, to         prevent tears and rips in the container;     -   it guides the spout as it rotates about the line x, limiting any         twisting that would not only make opening and closing of the         spout awkward, but would also increase the risk of tearing the         tab; and     -   it optionally determines, by interacting with the side flanks 24         b and the stop protuberances 24 c of the spout 24, the maximum         extent of pivoting of the spout, by means of abutment surfaces         26 a and 26 b which engage with abutment surfaces 24 d and 24 e,         respectively, of the central portion 24 a (the abutment of the         spout on the surface 26 b of the reinforcement 26, shown in FIG.         4 is not, however, a necessary condition).

In the embodiment, shown schematically in section in FIG. 5, the reinforcing element 26 does not take the form of a hollow plate or a frame, but a solid plate, in which a through-cut is made in the shape of an inverted U, matching and overlapping the cut 22 made in the packaging 9. As in the case of the cut 22, from which the tab 23 is made, a tab 26 d that is pivotable outwards about a hinge line x is made from the cut in the reinforcing element 26. By pivoting the tab 26 d outwards about the hinge line x, the opening 26 c is opened.

The tab 26 d of the reinforcing element 26 may be rigidly secured, for example by means of an adhesive, on the inside to the tab 23 of the opening 21 and on the outside to the wall 24 a of the spout 24.

In all the embodiments shown, when the spout 24 is opened, both the openings 21 and 26 c are also opened.

The two tabs 23 and 26 d may have the same shapes and sizes; it is possible, however, in an embodiment not shown, for the shapes and the sizes of the two tabs 23 and 26 d to be different from one another.

The tab 26 d of the reinforcing element 26 is pivotable integrally with the tab 23 and the spout 24 about the hinge line x, helping to strengthen the interface of attachment between the spout and the pouring opening 21.

According to a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the side flanks 24 b of the spout 24 are each received in one of a pair of substantially vertical through-slots 27, spaced apart horizontally on two opposite sides of the opening 26 c. The opening 26 c is located in an intermediate position between the slots 27, which in the example shown are parallel. A respective vertical strip 28 of the reinforcing element 26 is defined between the opening 26 c and each slot 27, having a stabilizing effect. During the movements of closing and opening of the spout 24, each slot 27 engages in sliding contact with both the opposite faces of a respective side flank 24 b of the spout, exerting a guiding action which gives greater stability to the spout and optimizes the seal at the interface between the spout and the rest of the container.

Through-slots (not shown), which correspond to and are juxtaposed on the slots 27, may be formed also through the packaging 9.

In all the embodiments, the opening 26 c may have a shape other than the rectangular shape shown in the drawings.

In a further embodiment (not shown), the reinforcing element 26, attached for example to the outside of the wall 18, may be associated with a second reinforcement, attached to the inner surface 18 b of the packaging, helping to further stiffen the region of the pack where the spout is installed. The internal reinforcement may be made of the same material as the external reinforcement, or of a different material, and may have the same shapes and sizes as the external reinforcement, or rather have different shapes and sizes.

According to a further different embodiment (not shown), the reinforcing element 26 may extend only in the immediate vicinity of the area above the opening 21, so as to reinforce only the area of abutment of the central portion 24 a and of the protuberances 24 c acting as stop means for the spout 24.

Various aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described. It is understood that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. The invention, moreover, is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but may vary within the scope as defined by the appended claims. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A container comprising a packaging which comprises a flexible material with at least one outer wall, the packaging being suitable for containing a product in the form of granules, powder or flakes, wherein: a first cut is made in the outer wall, said cut forming a corresponding first through-opening for pouring, a pouring spout is inserted in said first opening, and the spout is pivotable about a horizontal hinge line (x), between a retracted closed position and an extended open position; and a reinforcing element is attached to a portion of the packaging around the first opening and the spout, wherein the reinforcing element is more rigid than the flexible packaging and wherein the reinforcing element has a second cut that forms a second opening in the reinforcing element, at least partially juxtaposed on the first opening and communicating with the latter.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the first cut has the shape of an inverted U which defines, in the wall, a first tab that is rigidly secured to the spout and is pivotable outwards along with the spout about said hinge line (x).
 14. The container of claim 12, wherein the second cut has the shape of an inverted U which defines, in the reinforcing element, a second tab that is rigidly secured to the spout and is pivotable outwards along with the spout about said hinge line (x).
 15. The container of claim 14, wherein the second tab of the reinforcing element is also rigidly secured to the first tab of the packaging and is pivotable outwards along with the first tab and with the spout about said hinge line (x).
 16. The container of claim 12, wherein the spout comprises a central portion and two side flanks spaced apart horizontally, wherein the side flanks are retracted into the packaging, inserted in the second opening of the reinforcing element and in contact with two respective opposite vertical sides of the second opening, in such a way that, during the movements of pivoting of the spout about the hinge line (x), the side flanks of the spout slide against, and are guided by, the respective opposite vertical sides.
 17. The container of claim 12, wherein the spout comprises a central portion and two side flanks spaced apart horizontally, wherein the side flanks are retracted into the packaging, and are each inserted in one of a pair of substantially vertical slots, spaced apart horizontally on opposite sides of the second opening, in such a way that, during the movements of pivoting of the spout about the hinge line (x), each slot engages in sliding contact with both the opposite faces of a respective side flank of the spout and guides the movements of the spout.
 18. The container of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing element is attached to an outer surface of the packaging.
 19. The container of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing element is attached to an inner surface of the packaging.
 20. The container of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing element takes the form of a plate or label with a closed or open frame or a closed or open ring.
 21. The container of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing element comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and card.
 22. The container of claim 12, wherein the flexible material from which the packaging is in the form of a sheet of polymer material. 